Red Duchess Apple Tree
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Red Duchess Apple Tree - 4-5 Feet Bareroot Standard Height is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Buying Options for Plants
Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.
Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!
Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.
- Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
- Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.
Nature Hills Container Size by Volume
Keep in mind, specific varieties and different growing conditions can affect the rate at which plants grow. Variations in size may occur.
| Young Plants to 18 Months | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| 2"x2"x3" | Ranges from | .18 to .21 dry quarts / .198 to .23 dry liters in volume |
| 4.5" Container | Equal to | .65 dry quart / .72 dry liter in volume |
| Sprinter Pot | Equal to | .63 dry quart / .69 dry liter in volume |
| 4" Container | Ranges from | .31 to .87 / .35 to .96 dry liter in volume |
| 6" Container | Equal to | 1.4 dry quarts / 1.59 dry liters in volume |
| 1 Quart | Equal to | 1 dry quart / 1.1 dry liter in volume |
| 5.5" Container | Equal to | 1.89 of a dry quart / 2.08 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x5" | Ranges from | .8 to 1.1 dry quarts / .88 to 1.2 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x6" | Ranges from | 1.0 to 1.3 dry quarts / 1.1 to 1.41 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x9" | Ranges from | 1.1 to 2.1 dry quarts / 1.2 to 2.3 dry liters in volume |
| 4"x4"x10" | Ranges from | 1.7 to 2.3 dry quart / 1.87 to 2.53 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 18 Months - 2.5 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| 2 Quart | Equal to | 2 dry quarts / 2.2 dry liters in volume |
| #1 Container | Ranges from | 2.26 to 3.73 dry quarts / 2.49 to 4.11 dry liters in volume |
| 5"x5"x12" | Equal to | 3.5 to 4.3 dry quarts / 3.85 to 4.74 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 2 - 4 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| #2 Container | Ranges from | 1.19 to 1.76 dry gallons / 5.24 to 7.75 dry liters in volume |
| #3 Container | Ranges from | 2.32 to 2.76 dry gallons / 10.22 to 12.16 dry liters in volume |
| Plants 3 - 5 Years Old | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Volume | |
| #5 Container | Ranges from | 2.92 to 4.62 dry gallons / 12.86 to 20.35 dry liters in volume |
| #6 Container | Ranges from | 5.25 to 6.01 dry gallons / 23.12 to 26.42 dry liters in volume |
| #7 Container | Ranges from | 5.98 to 6.08 dry gallons / 26.34 to 26.78 dry liters in volume |
Plant Highlights
Red Duchess Apple Tree highlights at a glance!
Plant Highlights
Plant Highlights
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
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Harvest Time
Growing Zones 3-6
If you're looking for a gorgeous tree and a sweet afternoon snack all in one, the Red Duchess Apple Tree (Malus 'Red Duchess') may be the perfect tree for you! People love using these Apples fresh off the tree or in pies and sauces. Imagine making a crisp Apple pie with the homegrown experience!
In the spring there are small white flowers that sprinkle throughout the tree. Bees love them and beneficial insects will be grateful too! You'll love the fluttering white petals and their wafting fragrance! Lush green foliage fills out these trees for the rest of the growing season.
The Red Duchess Apple Tree thrives in zones 3-6. Need to find your hardiness zone? Use our map to locate yours! A red selection of Duchess of Oldenburg Apple tree, this Fruit Tree ripens mid to late summer, just in time for summer BBQs and get-togethers!
Planting and Application:
The possibilities are endless when it comes to fruit trees! Create your dream orchard or decorate your small yard with an edible landscaping shade and flowering ornamental tree that also produces a fantastic crop of tasty fruit around August each year!
Create a home orchard of your dreams with this lovely Apple tree! The more, the merrier! Red Duchess Trees will produce more fruit when they have other fruit trees around them.
You can even prune this tree to grow them low branches for ease of harvest in your yard! Keep the branching to the ground and the tree's 18-25 foot height much shorter for easier harvest! Use these more shrubby forms both pruned or full size as windbreaks, edible landscaping hedges, and property dividing privacy rows that also feed you!
Mix in a few of Red Duchess' many pollination partners into the mix to increase pollination chances for all. Red Duchess isn't self-pollinating, so in smaller landscape situations, try high-density planting techniques or groupings to aid in pollination.
- Tasty Crisp Tart Flavor
- Red Blushed Fruit & With White Flesh
- Early-Season Harvest Time
- White Fragrant Flowers Attract Pollinators
- Lovely Ornamental & Versatile Edible Landscaping Tree
#ProPlantTips for Care:
All fruit trees have their needs, but luckily, growing this Apple is not too complicated! Provide your Apple Fruit Tree with full sun for the most fruit. They love to bask in the sun and the Apples look great when the sun hits them! This tree likes being planted in well-drained soil and topped off with a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch. This ensures that the soil is moist, but won't drown the roots. If you are ever confused about when to water your tree, you can use the Finger Test. Simply stick your finger into the soil near the base of the tree. If it feels moist, then your tree is happy and fine! However, if it is dry, give it a good soak!
Consider staking your tree to keep its trunk growing straight for the first year, so pick up a Tree Support Stake Kit. Once established, a fertilizer routine may be beneficial. We do offer some excellent slow-release organic options, applied according to the package directions. Many people wonder how to prune an Apple tree. Luckily, it is pretty simple and we wrote a Garden Blog on it. You can get all your Pruning questions answered here.
- Cold-Hardy Down to Zone 3!
- Full Sun For The Biggest Harvest
- Well-Drained Moist & Enriched Soil
- Thin Fruit During Heavy Crops
- 200-300 Chill Hours
Great fruit and gorgeous beauty, the easy-to-grow Red Duchess Apple Tree will delight you and your landscape! Order your own and its pollinator today from Nature Hills Nursery!
Red Duchess Apple Tree Frequently Asked Questions
When to Prune Red Duchess Apple Trees
Trim off any broken branches from delivery as soon as you take them out of the box. Prune and trim Apple trees while dormant, in late winter or early spring, before you see new growth.
How to Prune Red Duchess Apple Trees
Dormant prune to:
- Remove any double leaders or narrow crotch angles
- Eliminate any crossing branches
- Thin interior branching and leave the fruiting spurs and strong branches in place opening up the canopy
- Branching at least 24-36 inches above the ground
Prune Apple trees in the summer to:
- Control size and shape by reducing the length of longer new growth on vigorous trees
- Remove water sprouts on the main trunk or older branches in the crown
- Remove suckers at the base of the trunk
- Thin fruit during heavy years on established trees
Red Duchess Apple Tree Pollinating Info
Red Duchess is not self-fruiting and needs a pollinating partner. Pair with one of these varieties:
- Cortland Apple Tree
- Granny Smith Apple Tree
- Fuji Apple Tree
- Empire Apple Tree
- Snowsweet® Apple Tree
- Wolf River Apple Tree
- Zestar!® Apple Tree
- Dolgo Crabapple Tree
- Whitney Crabapple Tree
Harvest Times for Red Duchess Apple Trees
Early-Season? Mid-Season? Late-Season? The terminology can be confusing for new Apple tree growers. Weather, climate and your tree determine when it's ripe.
Red Duchess's are typically ready to harvest in August.
- Early-season is usually June-July
- Mid-season can be August-September
- Late-season can be from late September-November
The growing season consists of spring, summer, and fall, and varies with climate and weather. Areas with longer growing seasons in the warmer hardiness zones can greatly affect the harvest times for each particular Apple variety grown in your area. Learn which growing zone you are in.
Rootstocks Explained
Apple trees have been grafted onto different rootstocks since before the mid-1800s. Different rootstocks are used to improve the anchoring of trees, eliminate diseases, and reduce the natural mature size of the tree itself. While there are many different types of rootstock, they are all labeled as being either Dwarf, Semi-Dwarf, or Standard.
The Apple descriptions, including flowering, pollination, and Apple characteristics are the same whether the plant is grown on a standard rootstock or some varying dwarfing rootstock. The overall size can vary by climate and soil but the understock used is ultimately what affects the mature size.
There will be some variation in sizes but as a guide, we are suggesting the overall mature size of these Apple varieties are:
Semi-Dwarf Apples
- Height: 12-18 feet
- Spread: 10 - 15 feet
Standard Apples
- Height 18 - 25 feet
- Spread: 15 - 18 feet
Remember that all fruit tree sizes can easily be altered if needed by simple pruning as the trees grow and develop.
What Shipping Options Do You Offer?
NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Red Duchess Apple Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!
